Textile computing platform in sleeve form

Abstract

A textile-based computing platform for wearing by a wearer on both sides of a joint of a body of the wearer, the platform comprising: a textile body shaped as a sleeve including a first zone for positioning adjacent to the joint, a second zone opposite the first zone for positioned on another side of the joint, and an intermediate zone for positioning over the joint; a fabric sensor incorporated into a textile layer making up the textile body, a fabric actuator incorporated into the textile layer making up the textile body, an electrical connector mounted on the textile body for connecting to a controller computing device; an electronic circuit coupling the electrical connector to the fabric sensor and the fabric actuator, the circuit electrically conductive threads incorporated into the textile layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A textile-based computing platform for wearing by a wearer on both sides of a joint of a body of the wearer, the platform comprising:
 a textile body shaped as a sleeve including a first zone for positioning adjacent to the joint, a second zone opposite the first zone for positioned on another side of the joint, and an intermediate zone for positioning over the joint;   a fabric sensor incorporated into a textile layer making up the textile body, the fabric sensor having one or more electrically conductive sensor threads incorporated into the textile layer by at least one of knitting or weaving with other threads making up the textile layer;   a fabric actuator incorporated into the textile layer making up the textile body, the fabric actuator having one or more electrically conductive actuator threads incorporated into the textile layer by at least one of knitting or weaving with the other threads making up the textile layer;   an electrical connector mounted on the textile body for connecting to a controller computing device;   an electronic circuit coupling the electrical connector to the fabric sensor and the fabric actuator, by way of circuit electrically conductive threads connected to the one or more electrically conductive actuator threads and the one or more electrically conductive sensor threads, the circuit electrically conductive threads incorporated into the textile layer by at least one of knitting or weaving with the other threads making up the textile layer;   wherein the controller computing device when connected to the electrical connector bidirectionally communicates electrical signals via the electronic circuit with respect to at least one of the fabric sensor and the fabric actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric actuator is provided as a pair of actuators positioned in the first zone and the second zone while being absent from the intermediate zone. 
     
     
         3 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric sensor is provided as a pair of sensors positioned in the first zone and the second zone while being absent from the intermediate zone. 
     
     
         4 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric sensor is provided as a sensor positioned in the first zone and the intermediate zone while being absent from the second zone. 
     
     
         5 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric sensor is provided as a sensor positioned in the first zone, the second zone and the intermediate zone. 
     
     
         6 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric actuator is provided as a pair of actuators having a first actuator positioned in the intermediate zone on one side of the joint and a second actuator positioned opposite the first actuator in an opposed section of the intermediate zone. 
     
     
         7 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a bio impedance sensor positioned to measure fluid buildup in the body; a respiration sensor to measure amount of perspiration of the body; a BIA/GRS sensor to measure skin conductivity; an ECG sensor to measure electro cardiograph readings; an EMG sensor for measuring electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles; a pressure sensor for measuring pressure with respect to the body; a chemical sensor for measuring chemicals/medicines with respect to the body; and an EEG sensor for electrophysiological monitoring; a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the fabric actuator is selected from the group consisting of: a shape shifting/adapting actuator for applying a haptic sensation to the body via changes in shape/form of the fabric of the fabric actuator; a pressure actuators for applying pressure with respect to the body; a chemical actuator for applying chemicals/medicines with respect to the body; and a heat actuator for applying heat to the body. 
     
     
         9 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the electronic circuit is configured to communicate the electrical signals representing at least one or: heating; cooling; compression; support; swelling; temperature; motion; and haptic feedback. 
     
     
         10 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the sleeve is for a knee joint. 
     
     
         11 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the sleeve is for an elbow joint. 
     
     
         12 . The platform of  claim 1 ; wherein the sleeve is for an ankle joint.